Hoekstra made a total of 68 league appearances in 5 years with Ajax before signing with English Second Division side Stoke City in August 2001.[1] Hoekstra's skill caused problems for many defences in English football's third tier and he was often subject to heavy tackles from opponents.[2] He made 28 appearances for Stoke in 2001–02 helping them gain promotion in the 2002 play-off final. He scored three goals that season against Notts County and twice against Chesterfield.[3][4] In 2002–03 Stoke battled against relegation from the First Division and Hoekstra's experience proved to be a vital asset, playing in 33 matches scoring five goals including a brace against Watford and a winning goal against Preston North End.[5] In 2003–04 Hoekstra played 27 times scoring four goals including a hat-trick against Reading.[6] In May 2004, at aged just 31, he was forced to retire due to a buildup of injuries.

He was voted as the best Stoke player to play in the first ten years at the Britannia Stadium in 2008.[7] He is now a youth coach at FC Groningen with whom he made a visit to Stoke in April 2011.[8]